Generalists or Specialists? Testing Genetic Specificity of <i>Leucocytozoon</i> Lineages and Black Fly Vectors in Thailand.

ABSTRACT: The diversity, genetic differentiation, and cophylogeny of avian protozoa of the genus Leucocytozoon and their black fly vectors (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Thailand were investigated. Leucocytozoon infections were detected in 46 (11.2%) of 410 black flies representing six species: Simulium asakoae, S. chumpornense, S. khelangense, S. siamense complex, S. yvonneae, and S. gombakense. The latter three species represent the first reports of having Leucocytozoon infections, suggesting their potential role in parasite transmission. A total of 12 Leucocytozoon lineages was identified, including novel lineages with low sequence similarity (92%) to previously known records in the S. siamense complex and S. yvonneae.

SUBMITTER: Jumpato W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12784730 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature